Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-07-21
Twelfth Night at Heywode.

might wish to see. Settled long and
long ago by few English families, it
retains, in the garden-like neatness OF
its surroundings, in its hawthorn
hedges. in its purplish pink Judas
trees. which seem almost to color the
air in the spring-time, and, above all,
in its clinging to old customs, very
pleasant resemblance to the mother
country, mingled agreeably with the
more progressive and liberal features
of the states
And so, with true regard to tradition.
Harold Hevwode of Heywode insisted
that the Christmas holidays should take
their full length of festivity, and not
think of concluding before Twelfth
Night.
Christmas was over. New Years
had passed, Twelfth Night had arrived.
The evergreens had been up so long
that the house was fragrant as pine
forest; cheerful, open fires burned on
the hearths, and the old mansion was
full of company. Merry voices rang
through the wide halls, dancing feet
passed to and fro; if a door opened, a
sound of lively music was heard; and
yet the master of all this cheer the
envied, admired, much flattered Harold
Heywode, was standing alone in his
own little study. gazing gloomily int
the fire with an out-of-heart expression
not often seen on his calm face.
Mr. Heywodc was nearly thirty.
good-loOking. and unmarried. Not
only the managing mothers of the
neighborhood glanced friendly wise in
his direction, and praised their amiable
daughters, to his endless amusement,
but the fame of his wealth and excel
lence was known far and wide, if not
from pole to pole. Everybody wonder
ed why he had not married; why he
did not marry now; and plenty of
reasons were invented TO account for
this singular circumstances, some even
going so far rs to hint at a secret
cal preferring n skeleton in the poor
fellows cupboard, and the romantic
content with nothing less than a
tangled thread of golden hair around
his heart"
This last theory, l may as we'll adj
NIT, was the ght one. and Mr. Hey
wode, alone in his household of merry
makers, was thinking of q Twelfth
Night five years ago, when his parents
had entertained just such another set
of light-hcartcd guests, and when he.
one of the happest among them, found
the ring in the cake, and gave it to
pretty Rosamond Young. who lost it
before the evening was oyer-a bad
omen VIII oh came true. For, some
way, she was never the same after
ward, and when he wanted to give her
another ring in its place. she would not
accept it, but told hjm-rudely. I'M
kndly-to carry h $ gift to Anna Mari.
They had often met since then; but
there had never been any explanation
between them, and she WAS now a
guest of his house, and engaged at last
or SO it was said-tO (of all people
for herD the gravest, most sedatc
Judge Wesley John, her guardian, and
her fathers early friend. She was
lovely as ever, more gentle now, and
there was something touching. almost
appealing, in her manner when she
spoke to him. Could she regret those
old days? Was she altogether happy
in her engagement? But what nom
sense; of course she was. He recalled
one afternoon before the Christmas
just ended, when he had followed
Judge John to the door of room
where the mcrrymakcrs were fashion
ing mysterious gifts, and Rosamond
had hidden gorgeous silken cushion
she WIS making for him, while with
her hand she playfully blinded her
elderly guardians eyes There seem
ell to be the pleasantest understanding
between them. Well! lie hoped she
might be happy. but summer and win
ter can never agree" and he doubted
if
Come int this in response to
very prosaic knock and his housekeeper
entered
'What now, Mrs. Barkley?"
1--we got everything ready. sir. as
you ordered-the bean baked in one
cake, the pea in another, the ring in
the lady cake, and all"
well, "a trife impatiently-
that's I'LL right"
The young people are wild about
the fun, Miss Rosamond Us full of it as
any of them. She babe me ask if she
might light the conservatory, and have
the little fountain started like it was
that nigh: five Years since"
Not" in decidedly irate tone from
the master of the house.
dear me, sir!'
Mr.. Heywodc's anger turned to
mirth at sight of her dismay.
There, there. Mrs. Barklev, l was
too quick. After all, why not? Ger
tainly, tell Miss Rosamond to arrange
it all as she pleases; l am perfectly will.
ing"
I'm tell her, sir" Mrs. Barklev
made feint of opening the door, then
closes it agan. 1T seems to me, Mr.
Harold, that Miss RoSamond has some
thing on her mind, for all her pretense
of good spirits. She got letter yester
day that most broke her heart
wanted her 10 tell me why she cried so
but she wouldn't, and when l said II
speak to you about it. she made m,
promise solemnly that should do ne
such thing"
"Then don't tell me, Mrs. Barley. >
She has always been that fond O
you. sir" rambled ON the good soul
she'd throw over her long faced judg,
in minute if she thought"
Mr.. Hcywode stopped the indiscree
flow of words by an impatient move